Crime & Safety

NMPD: Five Charged After Entering Flood Zone

Police said they entered dangerous flood waters on Monday and had to be rescued

Five people were charged with disorderly persons offenses after being rescued from dangerously swift currents in flood waters in the early morning hours on Monday, New Milford Police Chief Frank Papapietro said.

Papapietro said around 2:30 a.m. on Monday, NMPD Lt. John Kiene was on routine patrol near Columbia Street and River Edge Avenue when he heard people screaming for help. 

"The area was still heavily flooded as a result of Hurricane Irene with a strong current and was barricaded to prevent entry into the area," said Papapietro.

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Both Kiene and NMPD Officer Daniel LaMorges, who came to assist him, were not able to determine precisely where the cries for help were coming from due to the complete darkness in the flooded area.

River Edge police were then asked to respond on their side of the river, according to the NMPD. Police also asked the NMFD to respond with their water rescue team.

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"After preparing for a swift water rescue the crew entered the water and returned with four individuals," said Papapietro. "The four were turned over to EMS crews for evaluation and all refused medical attention."

Papapietro said River Edge Police found a fifth person on their side of the river.

Police said the four individuals who were rescued on the New Milford side said they "were walking from a residence on Madison Avenue and were attempting to retrieve a friend’s motor vehicle which was parked in the River Edge train station across the flooded area." The NMPD said those who were rescued had planned to swim to the other side. 

"As they entered the flood water they were unable to fight the current and clung to a tree to avoid being swept away," said Papapietro.

The four people rescued and subsequently charged were identified by the NMPD:

  • Rebecca C. Trama, 22, Bloomfield
  • Patrick J. Ferro, Jr., 24, New Milford
  • Jonathan M Tiongko, 24, New Milford
  • Erika L. Gramsch, 24, Ho-Ho-Kus

The fifth person found by River Edge Police was identified as:

  • Michael J. Holden, 22, Paramus

All five were charged with disorderly persons offenses, according to police, specifically “creating a hazardous and physically dangerous condition by an act that serves no legitimate purpose of the defendant.” 

Papapietro said all were released on their own recognizance pending a Sept. 14 court appearance in New Milford Municipal Court.

"The members of the NMPD and NMFD spent many hours risking their lives the prior afternoon rescuing residents in the same area," said Papapietro. "All were exhausted but the defendants’ collective stupidity caused these rescuers to once again place their lives in extreme danger for no reason."

Papapietro continued. "They are alive today because Lt. Kiene was in the right place at the right time to hear their cries for help and because of the proficiency of the fire department’s Water Rescue Team--if either of those elements were missing they would be statistics today.“


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